Students at The College of New Jersey are gaining practical experience in tax preparation while serving the local community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, according to an April 7 announcement. The initiative is part of a nationwide effort sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and operated locally with support from the United Way of Greater Mercer County.
The VITA program is designed to help low- to moderate-income individuals by offering free tax preparation services and helping taxpayers claim refunds and credits they might otherwise miss. TCNJ associate accounting professor Maria Domingo said, “The VITA program’s service has provided the community with real savings from tax refunds and tax preparation fees.”
At TCNJ, student participation in VITA is integrated into coursework, connecting them directly with residents across Mercer County. Domingo teaches an upper-level federal income taxation course that anchors student involvement in the program. Before volunteering, students must complete IRS certification that includes an exam and simulated returns to ensure they are qualified for real-world work.
Domingo said, “They’re applying the knowledge they’ve learned and using it to help the community.” Students reinforce classroom concepts while gaining hands-on experience with industry tools and engaging directly with taxpayers. Accounting major Zachary Niedzielski ’27 said, “In a classroom, assignments don’t carry the same weight as working on an actual return that directly impacts someone’s financial situation. This experience taught me the importance of accuracy, attention to detail, and accountability in a way that can’t be fully replicated in a classroom.”
Professional skills such as time management and communication are also developed during this process. Niedzielski shared one personal moment: “When I completed a tax return on April 15, the taxpayer told me her grandson was born that day… it was a good reminder that each taxpayer is a real person with their own life beyond numbers and taxes.” Some students earn academic credit for their work through internships; others volunteer independently during tax season.
For 2024, United Way’s VITA volunteers prepared more than 2,200 returns resulting in about $2.3 million in refunds for Mercer County residents. TCNJ student volunteers contributed roughly 20 percent of those filings according to Bill Bright, VITA coordinator at United Way of Greater Mercer County: “The success of the VITA program relies on the commitment and professionalism of our volunteers…the response from area colleges in general and TCNJ in particular has been a key component of our continued growth.”
Accounting major Gabriella Hyman ’26 said her early exposure will benefit her upcoming internship: “This experience fits perfectly with my long-term career plans…so getting this tax experience early on is really helpful.” Hyman added,“Talking to people of different backgrounds and learning about different financial situations and experiences has been one of the greatest takeaways from this experience.”
TCNJ offers degree programs across arts, business, engineering disciplines according to its official website. The college maintains a tree-lined campus spanning 289 acres according to its official website.
Other achievements include earning NCAA championships according to its official website, being honored by Council on Undergraduate Research in 2015 according to its official website, establishing a Phi Beta Kappa chapter in 2006 according to its official website, and focusing on cultivating critical thinkers and leaders through education according to its official website.
